Cooling

Electric chillers are the workhorses for cooling large buildings, often consuming more electricity than any other single energy-consuming device. This article explains the essential chiller characteristics needed to achieve substantial energy savings and attractive paybacks.

Chilled water and ice storage reduces operating costs by shifting load to and charging storage at off-peak times, when power and energy costs are low. This article explains the storage process and strategies to consider during system development.

A tremendous amount of energy is wasted ventilating spaces unnecessarily. Demand-controlled ventilation regulates the amount of outside air drawn in based on a building's actual occupancy, and can save as much as $1.00 per square foot annually. Find out if this approach will be effective for you.

Although economizers are designed to save energy, roughly half of all newly installed economizers don't work properly, and their problems increase as they age. Learn how you can ensure that your economizer is working properly and saving energy as expected.

Electric heat pumps are space-conditioning systems capable of providing heating and cooling in a single piece of equipment, which usually means energy savings and a lower capital cost. This article discusses heat pump operations and explains how to select the best model for your application.

In dry climates, evaporative cooling can fully satisfy building cooling loads, and it can also be applied cost-effectively when integrated with conventional chiller systems. Learn about the types of evaporative cooling, system performance, and choosing the best system for your application.

Monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) is a process applied to buildings to keep them performing at optimal levels. MBCx uses sensors and software in addition to standard retrocommissioning practices to provide a real-time account of systems within the building, often offering greater energy savings.

Sales for natural gas chillers have been in steep decline over the past ten years. For those considering replacing a gas chiller with similar equipment, this article explains the types of chillers available, performance, and factors to consider when making a purchasing decision.

Packaged rooftop units (RTUs) are the HVAC workhorse of the commercial building sector. This article discusses the various RTU configurations, efficiency considerations, and how to choose the best model for your application.

Vendors claim that polarized refrigerant oil additives can improve refrigeration system heat exchangers and yield energy savings of up to 30 percent. However, it is not at all clear that these additives can actually produce consistent savings in the ranges that vendors claim.

Room air conditioners circulate and cool air, remove humidity, filter out dust, and in some cases provide heating in both residential and commercial buildings. This article explains how to select an energy-efficient model that will maximize comfort while minimizing energy waste.

Programmable thermostats offer an automated way to reduce energy costs by turning down heating or cooling systems when a space is unoccupied. This article discusses how to use programmable thermostats effectively for maximum savings.